reference

Reference is defined as a mention of a situation.

(noun)

An example of reference is the mention of a person's religion to another.

The definition of a reference is someone who will give a recommendation for a position on behalf of another.

(noun)

An example of reference is a professor who will write a letter recommending a student for an internship.

Reference means someone or something which is a source of information about a subject.

(noun)

An example of reference is an encyclopedia.

See reference in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a referring or being referred; esp., submission of a problem, dispute, etc. to a person, committee, or authority for settlement
relation; connection; regard: in reference to his letter
1. the directing of attention to a person or thing
2. a mention or allusion
1. an indication, as in a book or article, of some other work or passage to be consulted
2. the work or passage so indicated
3. the mark or sign, as a number, letter, or symbol, directing the reader to a footnote, etc.
  in full reference mark
1. the giving of the name of another person who can offer information or recommendation
2. the person so indicated
3. a written statement of character, qualification, or ability, as of someone seeking a position; testimonial
1. use or consultation to get information, as an aid in research, etc.: often attributive: reference books
2. a book, etc. used for reference

to provide with references

See reference in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An act of referring: filed away the article for future reference.
a. Significance in a specified context: Her speeches have special reference to environmental policy.
b. Meaning or denotation.
The state of being related or referred: with reference to; in reference to.
A mention of an occurrence or situation: made frequent references to her promotion.
a. A note in a publication referring the reader to another passage or source.
b. The passage or source so referred to.
c. A work frequently used as a source.
d. A mark or footnote used to direct a reader elsewhere for additional information.
Law
a. Submission of a case to a referee.
b. Legal actions conducted before or by a referee.
a. A person who is in a position to recommend another or to vouch for his or her fitness, as for a job.
b. A statement about a person's qualifications, character, and dependability.

transitive verb ref·er·enced, ref·er·enc·ing, ref·er·ences

To supply references to: “Our memories are addressed and referenced . . . by significant fragments of their own content” (Frederick Turner).
To mention in a reference; refer to: He referenced her book in his speech. See Usage Note at allude.

Related Forms: